Toy Figure with Articulating Limb

ABSTRACT

A toy figure with articulating limb includes a torso and at least one appendage which is resiliently articulable about the toy figure. The at least one appendage is pivotally or rotatably coupled to the torso, and may also include a pivot assembly. At least one of the at least one appendages includes a resilient member which is biased to maintain the at least one appendage in a rest position and configured to return at least one appendage to a rest position if articulated away from this rest position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and is based on U.S. Patent Application No. 61/499,274, filed Jun. 21, 2011, entitled “Toy Figure with Articulating Limb,” Attorney Docket No. 1389.0340P/16877P, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to toy action figures, and more specifically to a toy action figure having at least one movable limb for enacting various athletic movements, such as a leg kick or punch. Furthermore, the invention relates to a toy action figure which may comprise two or more moveable limbs to move in combination to enact various athletic movements.

BACKGROUND

Toy action figures have become an extremely popular and well known play option for children and adults in the toy industry. Directed largely to young boys and collectors, these toy figures typically replicate male oriented heroes, villains, and the like. Most common themes include wrestlers, military, cartoon figures, warriors, or superheroes. Furthermore, the addition of life-like elements, including detailed sculpting and costumes have further enhanced the playability and collectability of these toy action figures.

A majority of action figures are comprised of molded plastic bodies combined with a plurality of parts and components joined by a corresponding plurality of articulated joints. The overall effect is often intended to provide posing and/or movement similar to that performed by humans. Posability, that is to say the ability to maintain a particular body position, is usually obtained by providing a friction-fit at one or more of the multiple articulated joints. While the appearances and physical size, as well as other design properties, have been stressed and improved upon to provide greater cohesiveness with the life-size character depicted, the functionality of toy action figures has remained relatively unchanged and in need of enhancement and improvement.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a toy action figure capable of mimicking movements and poses performed by the life-sized characters, while retaining or improving the aesthetic authenticity of the toy figure.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a toy action figure is provided which includes a torso, at least one appendage pivotally coupled to the torso, and a resilient member disposed within the at least one appendage. The resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage and configured to bias at least a portion of the toy figure in a rest position.

In other embodiments, a toy figure includes a torso, a hip portion pivotally coupled to the torso, at least one appendage pivotally coupled to the hip portion, and a resilient member disposed within at least one of the at least one appendage. The resilient member may be oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage. In some embodiments, the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the hip portion and the torso is rotatably coupled to the torso, such that the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the torso via the hips. In still other embodiments, the hip portion is coupled to the torso via a T-joint configured to allow 180 degree rotation of the hip portion with respect to the torso.

In other embodiments, the toy figure includes only one resilient member. Alternatively, the resilient member is a first resilient member and the toy figure also includes a second resilient member configured within a second appendage wherein the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the second appendage.

In yet another embodiment, the at least one appendage is a first leg and a second leg. In some of these embodiments, the first leg is rotatably coupled to the hip portion and includes a resilient member and the second leg is pivotally coupled to the hip portion but does not include a resilient member. Still further, in other embodiments the second leg is pivotally coupled to the torso via a friction fit ball joint configured to both allow the appendage to spherically rotate about the joint and provide the toy figure with posability. In another embodiment, only the first leg includes a resilient member.

In yet another embodiment, a toy action figure is provided comprising a head pivotally coupled to the torso, while in a further embodiment, the resilient member of toy action figure is selected from the group consisting of a torsion spring, a torsion bar, a coil spring, an elastic binder, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the resilient member is configured to bias at least a portion of the toy figure in a rest position. In other embodiments, the resilient member is configured to bias the hip portion in a substantially forward facing position.

In another embodiment, a toy figure includes a torso, at least one appendage having a first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion, the appendage coupled to the torso, and a resilient member disposed within the at least one appendage. The resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage. In some of these embodiments, the resilient member is configured to bias at least a portion of the at least one appendage in a rest position. In other embodiments, the resilient member is a first resilient member disposed within a first appendage and the toy figure further includes a second resilient member within the first appendage. The first resilient member biases the first portion of the first appendage in a rest position with respect to the second portion of the first appendage and the second resilient member biases the first appendage in a rest position with respect to the first portion of the first appendage.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood more readily after consideration of the Detailed Description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides an exploded front perspective view of a toy action figure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a partially disassembled rear perspective view of the toy action figure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a partially disassembled rear perspective view of a toy action figure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides a front perspective view of a toy action figure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 provides a side perspective view of the toy action figure of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-5, an action or toy FIG. 10 may include a torso 12, a head 14 (See FIGS. 3-5), and at least one appendage 16. Additionally or alternatively, an action FIG. 10 may also include hips or a hip portion 15 which may be configured to act as a joint between the torso 12 and at least one appendage 16. The torso 12, head 14, hips 15, and at least one appendage 16 may include any suitable structure, appearance, and/or ornamentation to resemble a body, a head, and/or limbs of any suitable person(s), animal(s), and/or other figure(s). For example, the action FIG. 10 may be configured to resemble a wrestling character. In some embodiments, the at least one appendage 16 and head 14 may be pivotally coupled to the torso 12, such that any portion or combination thereof may pivot, rotate, or articulate with respect to torso 12. In other exemplary embodiments, the at least one appendage 16 may be pivotally, rotatably or otherwise movably coupled to the hips 15, which may, in turn, be movably coupled to the torso 12. In other words, the at least one appendage 16 may be coupled to torso 12 via hips 15. In exemplary embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-3, hips 15 may be coupled to torso 12 via a T-joint 13 which permits 180 degree movement, such that hips 15 provide additional range or types of motion.

Further to FIGS. 1 through 3, the head 14 may be pivotally or rotatably connected to the torso 12 to allow selective rotation of the head 14 relative to the torso 12. Additionally, or alternatively, appendage(s) 16 may be pivotally or rotatably connected to the torso 12 to allow for selective rotation of the appendage(s) 16 relative to the torso 12. Although the head 14 and additional appendage(s) 16 are shown to be pivotally connected to the body, the head and/or the appendage(s) 16 may be connected in any other suitable way, including slidingly connected. In further embodiments, the head 14, additional appendage(s) 16, or some combination thereof may be fixedly connected to the torso 12 by any suitable means.

FIGS. 1 through 3 provide partially disassembled or exploded views of toy action figures in accordance with multiple embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the at least one appendage 16 may be formed from two halves which may be adhered or coupled together in any desirable manner, such as a snap, push, or friction fit. For example, in FIGS. 1-2, the at least one appendage 16 is two legs and each of the legs is shown detached from the torso 12 and split in half. Regardless of the type of appendage, each of the at least one appendage 16 may have a proximal end 17 and a distal end 19, such that the proximal end 17 is disposed closer to the torso 12 than the distal end 19. The axis between the proximal end 17 and the distal end 19 may generally be referred to as the proximodistal axis 21 and may substantially bisect the at least one appendage 16. Thus, if the at least one appendage 16 is substantially straight, the proximodistal axis 21 may also be substantially straight. However, if instead, the at least one appendage 16 is bent, curved, bendable, or otherwise not straight, as is the case in FIGS. 1-3, the proximodistal axis 21 may turn, curve, or otherwise bend in order to substantially bisect the at least one appendage 16.

Still referring generally to FIGS. 1-3, the partially exploded and disassembled views may show various inner components of the toy action figure in order to detail the mechanism(s) for resilient articulation of the toy action figure. More specifically, FIGS. 1-3 depict a pivot assembly 18 disposed at least partially within the at least one appendage 16 and configured to couple the at least one appendage 16 to the torso 12 in any desirable manner, such as fixedly, pivotally, or rotatably. The pivot assembly 18 may include a post 22 mounted within the at least one appendage 16, a coupler 36 disposed at the proximal end of the post 22 (generally adjacent to the proximal end 17 of the at least one appendage 16), and a resilient member 20 disposed near the distal end of the post 22. At least a portion of the pivot assembly 18 may be mounted within the at least one appendage 16 such that it is substantially parallel with the proximodistal axis 21 of the appendage 16.

As seen best in FIG. 2, the coupler 36 is configured to mate to a receiver 38 located within the action FIG. 10. The receiver 38 may include a pivot receiving end 43 and a joint 45, such that the receiver 38 may receive multiple appendages 16. For example, in FIGS. 1-3, the receiver 38 may receive a first leg 28 (See FIGS. 3 and 4) at joint 45 and a second leg 30 at pivot receiving end 43. Any of the at least one appendages 16 may be received in any desirable manner which allows the action FIG. 10 to function in accordance with the scope of the invention. In some embodiments, the at least one appendages 16 may include two halves and the two halves of the at least one appendage 16 may be coupled together around joint 45 such that an articulated joint providing a friction fit is formed. Such a connection may be secured in any desirable manner, such as with a connector 47 (See FIG. 2). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, pivot receiving end 43 may receive a pin or a cylindrical boss 11 included in hip portion 15 which may in turn provide a mounting point for coupler 36 of the pivot assembly 18.

In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIGS. 2-3, the receiver 38 may be disposed in the lower or inferior end of the torso 12, while in other embodiments, the receiver 38 may be disposed within hips 15. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-3, receiver 38 is disposed within hips 15. Regardless of the position of receiver 38, the at least one appendage 16 including pivot assembly 18 (i.e. second leg 30 of FIG. 3) may be coupled to receiver 38 in a substantially perpendicular position with respect to hips 15 such that the proximal end 17 of this appendage 16 (i.e. second leg 30 of FIG. 3) abuts hips 15. Such a configuration may limit the movement of the appendage 16 including pivot assembly 18 (i.e. second leg 30) so that it may only articulate about its own proximodistal axis 21. Meanwhile, an appendage without a pivot assembly (i.e. first leg 28 of FIG. 3) may be coupled to the torso 12 in a manner which allows it to freely rotate about the spherical area defined by the opening in torso 12 where the at least one appendage is received. For example, leg 28 may be coupled to torso 12, either directly or via hips 15, with an articulated joint providing a friction fit.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, but with additional reference to FIGS. 4-5, receiver 38 is configured to effectuate or facilitate resilient articulation of the at least one appendage 16 about the torso 12 in the midsagittal plane. For example, with reference to FIG. 3 and the exemplary embodiment described in the previous paragraph, resilient articulation may be effectuated by rotating the at least one appendage 16 without a pivot assembly 18 (i.e. first leg 28) away from its natural rest position, about the proximodistal axis 21 of the at least one appendage 16 including a pivot assembly 18 (i.e. second leg 30), and subsequently releasing the appendage without pivot assembly 18 (i.e. first leg 28).

More specifically, and with continued reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 including first leg 28 and second leg 30, articulation of first leg 28 in the midsagittal plane and about the proximodistal axis 21 of second leg 30 may rotate hips 15 (including receiver 38) in the same manner. The rotation of hips 15 and receiver 38 may cause at least a portion of the pivot assembly 18 (i.e. coupler 36 and post 22) included in second leg 30 to also rotate about the same axis (i.e. the proximodistal axis 21 of first leg 30), which may, in turn, transfer energy to resilient member 20 to be stored therein. For example, rotating post 22 may cause the resilient member 20 to coil or tighten, effectively transferring energy to the resilient member which may be stored by resilient member 20 until the resilient member 20 is able to uncoil or untighten. Upon release of the second leg 30, the resilient member 20 may release any stored energy, such that once sufficient energy has been transferred to resilient member 20, release of the second leg 30, may effectuate the return of second leg 30 to its original rest position. In other words, release of the second leg 30 may cause pivot assembly 18 to rotate into a position in which the resilient member 20 is no longer coiled, tightened, or otherwise tensioned.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, resilient member 20 is coupled at one end to the at least one appendage and coupled at its other end to the pivot assembly 18, such that rotation of the pivot assembly 18 causes the resilient member to tension and store energy. The resilient member 20 may be biased to a rest position, which may be a position in which the resilient member 20 is not tensioned and/or not storing energy. For example, the resilient member 20 may bias the action FIG. 10 to a forward facing position, such that when resilient member 20 releases energy it returns action FIG. 10 to a forward facing position. The resilient member 20 may provide the resilient force necessary to effectuate articulation of any desirable appendage 16, or a portion thereof, about the torso 12. The resilient member 20 may be a torsion spring, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3, but in different embodiments, any suitable resilient member or combination of resilient members may be incorporated to accomplish articulation of the appendage 16, including, but limited to, a torsion bar, a coil spring, an elastic binder, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

FIGS. 4 and 5 provide perspective views of another embodiment of a toy action FIG. 10 in accordance with of the present invention. Similar to FIGS. 1-3, the action FIG. 10 comprises a torso 12, a head 14 coupled to the torso 12, and at least one appendage 16 coupled to the torso 10 and capable of resilient articulation. In this particular embodiment, the torso 12 is coupled to four appendages 16 including a first arm 24, a second arm 26, a first leg 28, and second leg 30. Each of the appendages 16 may be pivotally or rotatably coupled or mounted to torso 12, such that each of the first arm 24, second arm 26, first leg 28, and second leg 30 are articulable with respect to the torso 12. Additionally, in this particular embodiment, the second leg 30 may be fitted with a pivot assembly 18 for resilient articulation of the second leg 30.

Referring specifically to FIG. 4, with additional reference to FIG. 5, each of the at least one appendages 16 may include two or more pivotally coupled members such as an upper member, medial member, and/or a lower member. For example, the first leg 28 may include an upper leg 32 and a lower leg 34, while the second arm 26 may include an upper arm 40 and a lower arm 42. Each portion of any of the at least one appendage(s) 16 may be coupled together in any desirable manner. In some embodiments, upper leg 32 and lower leg 34 may simply be pivotally coupled together, but in other embodiments, a pivot assembly 18 may couple upper leg 32 to lower leg 34. The pivot assembly 18 may be oriented substantially parallel with the proximodistal axis 21 of the upper leg 32 or lower leg 34 and configured to allow for resilient articulation of either portion about the other. For example, pivot assembly 18 may be configured to allow for resilient articulate of the lower leg 34 about the proximodistal axis 21 of the upper leg 32. In alternate embodiments, the pivot assembly 18 may allow for resilient articulation of any desired appendage 16, or portion thereof, in or about any desired proximodistal plane or axis 21, respectively. Additionally, the pivot assembly 18 may be utilized to resiliently connect sub-assemblies of an appendage 16 together.

Now referring to FIG. 5, a side view of the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 is shown. In FIG. 5, the first leg 28 is positioned perpendicular to the second leg 30, such that the action FIG. 10 may enact a “roundhouse kick” motion when the pivot assembly 18 is engaged. More specifically, leg 28 may be pivotally coupled to torso 12 via an articulated joint, which may provide a friction fit such that leg 28 may be moved to the perpendicular position seen in FIG. 5 and maintain this pose. In other words, an articulated joint may afford leg 28 posability. In contrast, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, leg 30 is coupled to torso 12 via a pivot assembly 18 and is maintained in a substantially upright position. As detailed above, the pivot assembly allows for resilient articulation of the first leg 28 about the torso 12 in the midsagittal plane, such that the action FIG. 10 may execute various movements, such as a roundhouse kick.

In order to operate the action FIG. 10, a user may grip the action FIG. 10 at leg 30 and, while maintaining leg 30 in a substantially fixed position, turn or twist at least a portion of the action FIG. 10 about the proximodistal axis 19. In some embodiments, a user may rotate torso 12 in accordance with directional arrow B, and articulable joints may ensure that any attached appendages 16 (including leg 28) rotate with torso 12. In other embodiments, at least one appendage 16 may be turned independently of the torso 12. As a portion of the action FIG. 10 is articulated about the proximodistal axis 21 in accordance with directional arrow B (while keeping leg 30 fixed), the resilient member 20 may tighten, coil or otherwise receive and store energy, as described above. Thus, once the articulated portion of action FIG. 10 is released, the resilient member 20 may release any received energy, causing pivot assembly 18 to rotate the articulated portion of action FIG. 10 back towards a rest position in accordance with directional arrow A. Thus, resilient member 20 may move action FIG. 10 back to any position it was in prior to being rotated in accordance with directional arrow B (i.e. Its rest position). Although the operation of action FIG. 10 has been described in accordance with certain directions of rotation, the action FIG. 10 may be configured to articulate about the proximodistal axis 21 in either direction A or B upon release (provided the action figure is rotated in the opposite direction prior to release).

Although FIGS. 4 and 5 are shown to include upper and lower members for all four appendages 16, appendages 16 may include any number of suitable members, including a single member. For example, the first arm 24 may be a single appendage without an upper member connecting to a lower member. Alternatively, the second arm 26 may include a first portion and a second portion such as upper arm 40 and lower arm 42. Further, the above-identified upper, medial, and lower members of an appendage may correspond to include thighs, legs, feet or arms, forearms, hands, however those members may include any suitable portion(s) of appendage(s).

The toy FIG. 10 may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combination of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

The resilient member 20 is defined herein as a bias member which expands/rotates (and recovers) in at least one axis, and may include, but is not limited to, a spring, a resilient plastic, memory foam, or a rubber. The resilient member 20 may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combinations of materials, such as supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, elastomers, polyester, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Also, where any description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Additionally, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. For example, many of the examples described herein are directed towards an exemplary embodiment which includes two legs, one of which may be resiliently articulated about the torso of a toy figure, but it is envisioned that any appendage or number of appendages may be articulated any portion of a toy figure.

While the invention has been described in detail and with references to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, the majority of the elements can be formed of molded plastic. However, in alternative embodiments, the elements can be formed of a material other than plastic provided that the material has sufficient strength for the component's intended function. 

1. A toy figure comprising: a torso; at least one appendage pivotally coupled to the torso, the at least one appendage having a proximodistal axis; and a resilient member disposed within the at least one appendage, wherein the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage and configured to bias at least a portion of the toy figure in a rest position.
 2. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the toy figure includes only one resilient member.
 3. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is a first resilient member and the toy figure further comprises: a second resilient member configured within a second appendage, the second appendage having a proximodistal axis, wherein the second resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the second appendage.
 4. The toy figure of claim 1, further comprising: a hip portion, wherein the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the hip portion and the torso is rotatably coupled to the hip portion, such that the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the torso via the hip portion.
 5. The toy figure of claim 4, wherein the hip portion is coupled to the torso via a T-joint configured to allow 180 degree rotation of the hip portion with respect to the torso.
 6. The toy figure of claim 4, wherein the at least one appendage includes a first leg and a second leg.
 7. The toy figure of claim 6, wherein the first leg is rotatably coupled to the hip portion and includes a resilient member, and the second leg is pivotally coupled to the hip portion but does not include a resilient member.
 8. The toy figure of claim 7, wherein the second leg is pivotally coupled to the torso via a friction fit ball joint configured to both allow the second leg to rotate spherically about the joint and provide the toy figure with posability.
 9. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is one of a torsion spring, a torsion bar, a coil spring, or an elastic binder.
 10. A toy figure comprising: a torso; a hip portion pivotally coupled to the torso; at least one appendage pivotally coupled to the hip portion; and a resilient member disposed within at least one of the at least one appendage, wherein the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage.
 11. The toy figure of claim 10, wherein the resilient member is configured to bias at least a portion of the toy figure toward a rest position.
 12. (canceled)
 12. The toy figure of claim 10, wherein the hip portion is coupled to the torso via a T-joint configured to allow 180 degree rotation of the hip portion with respect to the torso.
 13. The toy figure of claim 10, wherein the at least one appendage comprises: a first leg rotatably coupled to the hip portion; and a second leg pivotally coupled to the hip portion.
 14. The toy figure of claim 13, wherein only the first leg includes a resilient member.
 15. The toy figure of claim 10, wherein the resilient member is one of a torsion spring, a torsion bar, a coil spring, and an elastic binder.
 16. The toy figure of claim 10, wherein the resilient member is a first resilient member and the toy figure further comprises: a second resilient member configured within a second appendage, the second appendage having a proximodistal axis, wherein the second resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the second appendage.
 17. A toy figure comprising: a torso; at least one appendage coupled to the torso and having an first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion; and a resilient member disposed within the at least one appendage, wherein the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage.
 18. The toy figure of claim 17, wherein the resilient member is configured to bias at least a portion of the at least one appendage in a rest position.
 19. The toy figure of claim 17, further comprising: a hip portion, wherein the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the hip portion and the torso is rotatably coupled to the hip portion, such that the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the torso via the hip portion.
 20. The toy figure of claim 17, wherein the resilient member is a first resilient member disposed within a first appendage, and the toy figure further includes: a second resilient member within the first appendage, wherein the first resilient member biases the first portion of the first appendage in a rest position with respect to the second portion of the first appendage and the second resilient member biases the first appendage in a rest position with respect to the torso. 